Miyam felt a small
burst of pride at the expression on the soldier's face. I've
scared him.

He babbled something
about peace, but the girl did not relent. Peace was not a
word, she thought, that that man should dare to speak.

"Please!" gasped
the man. She couldn't even see his face- a skull visor blocked it. It was easy to pretend he wasn't human, thought Miyam. Because he
wasn't. He was a monster. All of them were.

She didn't even know
why they had come.

At that hopeless
thought, Miyam felt much of her strength desert her. Rage couldn't
sustain power for long in any bending discipline, and especially in
air. The whirlwind she had created began to waver as black spots
began to block out her vision.

Kuzon felt the horrible
air pressure around him begin to subside, the flying leaves fall
gently to the ground. The already collapsed bender in front of him
was clearly on her last legs.

"I'm not- with
them- anymore," pleaded Kuzon desperately. Was this what being a
traitor was- despised by everyone, even those you now sided with?

Gray eyes glared
furiously but weakly at him. The Firebender risked a few steps
forward, until he was beside the girl. He touched her shoulder, and
she jerked away. Okay, Kuzon, bad move.

"I just want to help
you up."

As he lifted the woman
into a sitting position- this had not become easier, he noticed- he
saw that she was crying. Part of him- the part that was still the
chivalrous, undoubted Fire Noble, wanted to wipe the tears off of her
face. As she grabbed his hand furiously, the part of his brain that
prided itself on living in the real world reminded him that this girl
was not some lady at a party, or some maiden in a tale.

He was not the
brave hero.

"Scum," hissed the
Airbender, as if to drive this point home. Her nails dug into his
hand, almost breaking the skin. The tears were flowing faster down
her face now.

"Yes," whispered
Kuzon.

I'm very sorry
this was a short chapter. It just doesn't really fit in with the
next (which is long).

The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.